New York Institute of Photography Competition results

I’ve been taking a Photoshop course at the New York Institute of Photography. They posted the results of a contest for their 100 year anniversary this month and the photos are marvelous! Unfortunately, I didn’t know about the contest, so I didn’t enter. Maybe next time. Have a look on YouTube if you are interested. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48LfXC17_bc

St. Mary's County Camera Club Third Prize

At the St. Mary’s County Camera Club competition last week my Barn Wall photo received 3rd prize in the Advanced Digital completion. The same photo won 1st prize in the Black and White Abstract category at the St. Mary’s County Fair last September. I even was asked if the Fair could borrow my photograph temporarily to demonstrate photography technique. I liked the wall because of its fascinating textures. I rarely do black and white these days, but the original was very monochrome in color, just right to accentuate the old look of the ancient curling rough wood. The photo was taken in the late afternoon, which increased the shadows and added depth to the wood shingles.

Buy Local in St. Mary's County

Today I attended a St. Mary’s County Small Independent Business Round table at Lenny’s Restaurant for the first time. It was fun to meet some of the other local business owners. We learned about a new local business concept called Buy Local. Because of the recession, the county is having a campaign to encourage local residents to buy local products to help strengthen the local community. After all, isn’t it nice to know you are helping your neighbors when you buy something? It seems more personal too. When I was in college, I loved visiting the local family grocery store because he knew my name!

The next Round Table meeting is scheduled for April 12 at 8:30AM at Lenny's Restaurant and will be about networking and marketing.

Photographing a Chihuahua

I had fun on Wednesday taking photos of a chihuahua named Lacey. She was adorable and sweet. I brought some Mexican hats and a blanket to play with and some cute Christmas costumes. We tried to get her attention by using a squeaky toy and clicker. It was fun doing a pet session. Does anyone know any good websites about pet photography? I’m interested in learning more.

The Ospreys will be in St. Mary's County soon!

We’ve had so much snow this year in St. Mary’s County. It is nice to remember that spring will eventually come. We have an osprey nest in the water just off our property. Usually the female osprey shows up between March 10 and 15th, followed by her male companion. They live in the County until mid September, before flying south to Central and South America for the winter. The female weighs almost twice as much as the male. They are such a joy to see, even if they “yell” at us when we get too close. If you want to learn more about osprey, I recommend two books, "The Fish Hawk: Osprey" (Northword Wildlife Series) by Stephen Carpenteri and a children's book "Ospreys" by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent both currently available from Amazon and elsewhere. Please share with me any good locations in St. Mary’s County to see osprey. I’d love to photograph more of them!

Wildlife in St. Mary's County

I have heard that you can see more wildlife in the winter time when the trees don't hide the birds and deer.

Where are some of the good places to view wildlife in St. Mary's County?

I'm especially interested in bald eagles, whistler swans, blue birds and great blue herons this time of year.

I've mostly seen cardinals outside my house. I didn't even have to leave the comfort of my house. I knew there was a reason we put the bird feeder near a window! Here is my recent 3rd place winner from the St. Mary's County Camera Club recent competition.

Welcome to Calm Reflections Photography

Welcome to my new blog. I'm writing to you from beautiful St. Mary's County, Maryland. I plan to share my photographs, tourist information for St. Mary's County, photography suggestions, places to travel and local businesses in the South County. I love to visit America's National Parks, view nature (especially birds and wildlife) and lovely landscapes. I have been a serious amateur photographer for nearly 30 years and began a photography business in 2009.

My main goal this year is to share photographs on useful products, like mouse pads, mugs, note cards, and canvas. I am constantly learning new things about photography.